Who Owns DC Shoes?

Ken Block, Damon Way, and Clayton Blehm founded DC Shoes in 1994 in Carlsbad, California. The name "DC" originally stood for "Droors Clothing," a clothing line the founders had started before pivoting to footwear. The company's first product was a skateboarding shoe designed with input from professional skateboarders, focusing on durability and performance features specific to skateboarding.

DC Shoes gained prominence in the late 1990s through sponsorships of professional skateboarders including Danny Way (brother of co-founder Damon Way) and Colin McKay. The brand also sponsored snowboarders and motocross athletes, expanding its presence across action sports. DC's marketing strategy included team videos, event sponsorships, and print advertising in skateboarding magazines, which helped build credibility within the core skateboarding community.

In 2004, Quiksilver acquired DC Shoes for approximately $87 million in cash and stock. At the time, DC Shoes was generating approximately $100 million in annual revenue. The acquisition gave Quiksilver a foothold in the skateboarding footwear market, complementing its surf-focused Quiksilver and Roxy brands. DC Shoes continued to operate as a distinct brand within Quiksilver, maintaining its Huntington Beach headquarters and skateboarding-focused product lines.

Quiksilver filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015, emerging in 2016 as a restructured company. In 2017, the company rebranded as Boardriders, Inc., reflecting its multi-brand portfolio. Under Boardriders ownership, DC Shoes faced increasing competition from Nike SB, Vans, and Adidas in the skateboarding footwear market. The brand's relevance among younger consumers declined as athleisure and lifestyle footwear gained market share over specialized skate shoes.

In September 2023, Authentic Brands Group acquired Boardriders for approximately $1.25 billion. The acquisition brought Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Element, and VonZipper into ABG's portfolio. In January 2024, ABG announced a licensing partnership with BBC International for DC Shoes footwear. BBC International took on global design, sourcing, and wholesale distribution of DC Shoes footwear and snowboard boots in the US and Canada. Seth Campbell, Corporate President at BBC International, stated that the partnership aimed to "tap into a new audience, introduce new innovations, and uphold the brand's strong DNA and heritage."

Under ABG ownership, DC Shoes has continued to operate from Huntington Beach, California. The brand sponsors a team of professional skateboarders and snowboarders and sells products through specialty skate shops, action sports retailers, and its direct-to-consumer website. DC Shoes generates approximately $61 million in annual revenue as of 2025, with 64% of sales from the US market.